Athens News Agency: Daily News Bulletin in English, 09-04-24

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM: Cyprus solution remains a priority

[02] Karamanlis' second day in Cyprus

[03] Karamanlis meets Cyprus political party leaders

[04] PM Karamanlis meets Archbishop of Cyprus

[05] PM Karamanlis visits former Cyprus president Clerides

[06] Papandreou chairs party meeting, says country in prolonged election period

[07] PASOK claims 'judicial coup' over Vatopedi

[08] Justice minister replies to PASOK spokesman

[09] Dendias reply to Ragoussis: PASOK interfering with justice

[10] Alavanos on political scandals

[11] Prosecution for Vatopedi case expected in coming days

[12] Bill on prison security, 'hood-wearers' to Parliament

[13] Govt unveils 3.2-bln-euro program to support employment

[14] Public works minister visits Thessaloniki Metro workshop

[15] EU Court finds against Greece on dividends, veterinary controls

[16] Gov't unveils measures to boost transparency in fuel market

[17] Vivartia cuts fresh milk prices to 1.0 euros per litre

[18] Building materials' index up 0.4 pct in March

[19] ASE announces changes in index composition

[20] Greek stocks end 0.60 pct up

[21] Greek bond market closing report

[22] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

[23] Int'l conference on biodiversity in Athens on April 27-28

[24] Forum on leadership and services for citizen

[25] Historic church in Ambelakia to be restored

[26] ESIEA attends event marking bombing of RTS building by NATO

[27] Worker killed by collapsed earthworks

[28] Cloudy, rainy on Friday

[29] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

[30] Cypriot FM welcomes Clinton's remarks on Cyprus Politics

[01] PM: Cyprus solution remains a priority

"Respect for the independence and sovereignty of Cyprus has become the foundation stone of Greece's policy on the Cyprus issue," Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said in his address to Cyprus' House of Representatives on Thursday. He also urged the two communities on Cyprus to continue negotiations, saying that these would be beneficial in spite of the serious differences between them.

Speaking during a special session of the Cypriot Parliament on the second day of an official visit to the country, Karamanlis underlined that the Cyprus problem remained a top foreign policy priority for Greece and that full normalisation of relations between Greece and Turkey depended on its resolution.

He urged Ankara to realise that the proven tenacity of the Cyprus Republic, its determination to exercise its territorial rights and its membership of the European Union were decisive factors in terms of the framework and content of an agreed solution to the Cyprus problem.

The insistence of the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot sides on referring to two separate "peoples" and "founding nations" - contrary to United Nations resolutions - was both unacceptable and futile, the Greek premier added.

Clarifying further, Karamanlis pointed out that the UN Security Council had condemned the illegal regime in northern Cyprus and all Turkish attempts to create a breakaway state in the occupied territories, urging all UN members not to recognise or facilitate this illegal state in any way.

At the same time, pressures and machinations seeking to legalise the situation created by the Turkish invasion and occupation along the lines of a "confederation" had been tried and had failed.

Meanwhile, Cyprus had joined the European Union as a single entity that included its occupied northern third, while the accession treaty clearly provided for the implementation of Community rules in the occupied territories after an agreement for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

As a result, Ankara was obliged to meet its obligation under the Additional Protocol with the EU and to normalise bilateral relations with Nicosia, Karamanlis said.

"The peaceful struggle for an end to the Turkish occupation and a comprehensive solution of the political problem in Cyprus is a long struggle that does not permit illusions about easy or painless solutions. Illusions must not be harboured by the other side either, however. Arrogance is a bad counsellor," he emphasised.

Karamanlis repeated that the aim of negotiations between the two sides on Cyprus, and a fundamental condition for a mutually acceptable solution of the problem, was "the transformation of the Cypriot state into a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, with the effective participation of both communities in its government and a single sovereignty, single nationality and single international identity, as laid out in UN Security Council resolutions".

The Greek premier emphasised that the negotiations to agree on a viable and functional system of federal government were directly linked with ensuring the continuity of the state that arose.

"Any solution that is not fair, functional and viable is simply not a solution. And that will benefit no one. Neither the Turkish Cypriots, nor the Greek Cypriots nor the single Cypriot state, nor the EU, of which the Cyprus Republic is a member," he pointed out.

On the form of direct negotiations between the two communities on Cyprus, Karamanlis said these should continue without "artificial deadlines and new arbitration" until the two sides agreed on their own solution that was in accordance with UN resolution and EU values and principles.

He stressed that a such a solution must be in accordance with Community rules and regulations and ensure that Cyprus was able to effectively take part in decision-making within the EU, without the necessity for systems of guarantees and rights of intervention by third parties that were unclear and alien to the EU, and established a rule of law and democracy that did not give rise to frictions, tensions and functional problems.

Such a solution could only become possible, however, if Ankara allowed and encouraged the Turkish-Cypriot leadership to move in this direction in good faith and with flexibility, he pointed out.

"Unfortunately, in spite of its rhetorical support for the negotiating process up until now, Turkish policy on Cyprus remains confused, divisive and threatening," Karamanlis said.

He concluded by assuring Cyprus MPs that Greece will continue to steadfastly support Cyprus and its people, who were linked to Greece by millenia of common history and a common future.

"Together we will face this future's every challenge," he said.

[02] Karamanlis' second day in Cyprus

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis began the second day of his official visit to Cyprus on Thursday by visiting the Makedonitissa Tomb in Nicosia, where army officers and soldiers killed during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus are buried. After laying a wreath and signing the guestbook, he then visited the tombs of Greek Cypriots killed during the struggle against British colonial rule between 1955-1959, where he also laid a wreath.

On his arrival at the Makedonitissa Tomb, he was met by an military honour guard, while at the EOKA freedom fighters' tombs he was received by Cypriot Justice Minister Loucas Louca and presented with a gold medal by the Historical Remembrance Council for the Struggle of EOKA '55-'59.

He then made his way to the Cyprus House of Representatives, where he addressed Cypriot MPs during a special session of the Cyprus Parliament, outlining Athens' position on the Cyprus issue.

In a speech introducing the Greek prime minister, Cyprus House Speaker and DIKO party leader Markos Garoyian stressed that Karamanlis' presence in Cyprus at this time indicated the special interest of the Greek government in the course of the Cyprus problem and the close coordination between Athens and Nicosia in view of the processes about to begin in the framework of the EU and on a broader international level.

"Cyprus and Greece must coordinate their strategy and tactics in order to defend their national interests and rights in the most effective way and in order for them to have an upgraded role in European and international issues," Garoyian said. He also underlined that the key to a solution lay with Ankara and that "we must maximise the cost [for Turkey] as long as it insists on its intransigent positions," using the levers of pressure offered by EU membership.

Greek ambassador in Cyprus Vassilis Papaioannou hosted a lunch in Karamanlis' honour.

The Greek premier's visit ended with a dinner hosted by Cyprus President Demetris Christofias for Karamanlis and his wife Natassa at his countryhouse at Kellaki Limassol, before Karamanlis and the Greek delegation departed from Cyprus at 10:00 Thursday night.

[03] Karamanlis meets Cyprus political party leaders

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Thursday completed a round of contacts with the leadership of Cyprus' political parties, held within the framework of his official visit to the country.

Karamanlis had separate and successive meetings in the afternoon with the presidents of Democratic Party (DIKO) Marios Garoyian and the Cypriot Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) Yiannakis Omirou.

In statements made afterward the meeting with the Greek premier, Garoyian underlined that it was reaffirmed that the two sides share the same viewpoints. He added that they also share the will to make substantive steps toward a functional and viable solution of the Cyprus problem and pointed out that a change in the stance of the Turkish side is a necessary condition, considering that Ankara holds the key to a solution.

EDEK President Omirou underlined the risk of more pressures being exerted on the Greek Cypriot side as a result of the Dervis Eroglu victory in the illegal 'elections' held recently in the occupied territory of northern Cyprus.

Referring to the admission that the majority of those voters were Turkish settlers rather than native Turkish Cypriots, Omirou stressed in his meeting with the Greek premier that the international community should be made aware of the problem, adding that it constitutes proof of the systematic efforts made by Turkey to alter the identity of the population in the occupied part of Cyprus.

Omirou also suggested an international campaign to raise awareness about the actual proposals made by Turkey regarding the direct talks on the Cyprus problem and its intransigent positions.

The Greek premier's wife Natassa, who has accompanied Karamanlis on his visit to Cyprus, had a meeting on Thursday afternoon with the widow of the late Cyprus president Tassos Papadopoulos, Mrs. Fotini Papadopoulou, at the latter's home in Strakka.

[04] PM Karamanlis meets Archbishop of Cyprus

Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus asked for Greece's substantive support in the solution of the Cyprus issue, during a meeting on Thursday with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis at the Archdiocese. Karamanlis is currently on the last day of an official visit to Cyprus.

Archbishop Chrysostomos stated that he had the opportunity to express his concerns as regards the national issue and pointed out that "we want a functional and viable solution".

He also underlined that the Greek premier and his government clearly support the Cypriot Hellenism.

[05] PM Karamanlis visits former Cyprus president Clerides

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis paid a courtesy call on former Cyprus president Glafcos Clerides on Thursday, wishing him the best of health and all the best on the occasion of his 90th birthday on Friday.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and the prime minister's initiative to visit the former president moved Glafcos Clerides.

The veteran Cypriot statesman expressed some views on the issue of Cyprus to Karamanlis and stressed that efforts to achieve an agreement on an overall solution to the issue of Cyprus, that will be viable and workable, must be supported.

The meeting took place at the EOKA Fighters Mansion, where Glafcos Clerides has been staying over the past three months and who is being subjected to a physiotherapy programme, following surgery on the right hip.

The Mansion's president, Andreas Angelopoulos, gave the prime minister the foundation's gold medal.

[06] Papandreou chairs party meeting, says country in prolonged election period

Earlier, Papandreou had chaired a wide meeting of party cadres during which a discussion was held on all current issues, such as the scandal cases (Vatopedi, Bonds, Germanos, Siemens and the two Pavlidis cases). The Parliamentary Group's planning for the near future, until the conclusion of the work of the current Parliamentary session, was also discussed.

Papandreou also said that the "prolonged election period does not benefit the country" and indirectly blamed Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis for this, saying that "I not not know what he will do" but noting that he sees the possibility of double elections (both Euroelections and national elections) coming closer.

Referring to the scandal cases, Papandreou said that in 2004 Karamanlis hoisted the flag on cracking down on corruption, but he ultimately lowered it. He also reminded of the support he had offered to the prime minister over these issues with the phrase "I am ready to throw my weight."

The main opposition party leader admitted that similar phenomena also occurred during the period of PASOK governance but, as he claimed, such cases were isolated ones while "we are speaking here of an entire government conception."

As regards the party's Euroelections ticket, it was mentioned that it will be announced after May 10 and, in any case, following the announcement of the ruling New Democracy (ND) party's ticket.

[07] PASOK claims 'judicial coup' over Vatopedi

Papaconstantinou also called on Justice Minister Nikolaos Dendias to "provide explanations and make specific moves" following Wednesday's "judicial coup".

Responding to Papaconstantinou, Dendias stated that "PASOK, through its spokesman, virtually confirms the serious lapse it has committed by announcing in advance resignations of members of the judiciary. The only obvious coup at this time is that the main opposition party has overstepped its institutional role."

Justice Minister Nikolaos Dendias had earlier accused PASOK of repeating an attempt to interfere with justice, in reference to statements made the previous day by PASOK National Council Secretary Yiannis Ragoussis. Speaking on a private national television network, the latter had predicted that there might be further resignations by senior prosecutors over the Vatopedi Monastery land swaps case.

Meanwhile, a Communist Party of Greece (KKE) statement mentioned that Supreme Court Attorney General George Sanidas' new intervention, aimed at keeping the Vatopedi Monastery case file from being sent to Parliament, comes as no surprise and accused the two major political parties of ruling New Democracy (ND) and main opposition PASOK of hypocrisy.

[08] Justice minister replies to PASOK spokesman

The minister added that "the only coup d'etat that is visible at the moment, is the overstepping by the main opposition party of its institutional role."

[09] Dendias reply to Ragoussis: PASOK interfering with justice

"I admit that I was particularly surprised to hear PASOK, via its National Council secretary, make an advance announcement last night of resignations by prosecutors. We must be honest, here. This means only two things: it's either encouragement or a threat. In both cases, it is an extremely serious lapse and the second to occur after the Reppas letter," the minister said.

While appearing on a MEGA television news programme on Wednesday night, Ragoussis had criticised the government's handling of fiscal policy and various cases of suspected political scandal.

Referring to the Vatopedi monastery land swaps case, in particular, he had predicted the likelihood of "more resignations by prosecutors if the case is not sent to Parliament". Earlier during the investigation of the case, two appeals court prosecutors had tried to resign from the case after their superior disagreed with their opinion that the evidence pointed to accountability by ministers and had to be forwarded to Parliament.

[10] Alavanos on political scandals

Alavanos severely criticised the Greek judiciary and Supreme Court Attorney General George Sanidas for not forwarding the file on the Vatopedi Monastery land swap case to Parliament, as well as the two major parties for passing the law on ministerial accountability.

SYRIZA's leader described the prevailing political climate as corrupt, adding that judges are engaging in politics while politicians are acting as judges.

Answering press questions on the possibility of dual elections in June, he said that anything was possible.

He also announced that the SYRIZA parliamentary group will not attend the presentation of Parliament's medal to the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in protest over the EU's lack of social policy, its silence and support for the excesses of big business.

[11] Prosecution for Vatopedi case expected in coming days

According to Karoutsos, the launching of prosecution in the case is expected in the coming days and which was investigated by Appeals Court prosecutors Efstathia Spyropoulou and Pantelis Stragalis. The two prosecutors judge that out of the total number of 63 persons examined as suspects, charges must be filed against 32.

[12] Bill on prison security, 'hood-wearers' to Parliament

The ministry said the bill has four main aims, including measures to improve the efficiency of the Greek coroners' service, measures relating to the correctional system that seek to ensure higher security standards while also promoting social rehabilitation of inmates, resolving problems in the administration of justice and, finally, "taking measures to ensure social peace in the face of new forms of crime".

Specifically, the bill establishes a special drug rehabilitation facility for addicted prisoners at Cassandra, Halkidiki, makes all hospital and psychiatric wings in prisons a part of the national health system in order to improve healthcare for inmates, allows the release from prison of all inmates financially unable to cover the cost of sentences convertible to fines, and converts prison sentences for all mothers of children under five to sentences of community service, except for particularly serious criminal offences.

The new legislation will also require prison staff to submit statements of their means and assets, makes possession or use of mobile phones by prisoners a disciplinary offence, allows the appointment of managers and other public-sector executives as prison wardens and provides for the construction of a separate facility where prisoners serving lengthy sentences or classed as dangerous can be kept apart from the general prison population.

To improve prison security, the bill has increased the penalty for prison or police officers involved in an escape to 10 years imprisonment, banned use or possession of mobile phones by prison staff within prison facilities and allowed courts to order the lifting of communications privacy for all offences in the criminal code and offences relating to illegal migration.

Finally, measures designed to "preserve social peace" include tougher sentences for people wearing hoods when committing acts of violence, vandalism, robberies or causing bodily harm at public gatherings, such as demonstrations and a rallies.

Financial News

[13] Govt unveils 3.2-bln-euro program to support employment

Presenting the measures, the minister said the money for the program will be covered by both national and community funds and stressed that the action will cover 1,333,000 workers and unemployed people, offering vocational training, supporting vulnerable social groups and subsidizing work.

Under the plan, the government will offer protection to shorter-week workers, offering financial support to vulnerable sectors of the economy, such as construction, engineering and tourism and offering financial support to small- and medium-sized enterprises for intra-enterprise training.

Petralia also announced a program for rescheduling social contribution debt by enterprises and stressed that the country's existing legal framework was adequate to support a shorter-working week in the country.

[14] Public works minister visits Thessaloniki Metro workshop

Speaking during a visit Thursday to the Metro's central workshop, located at the new railway station, Souflias revealed that the excavation and construction of the Metro's first tunnel began in early 2009 and the construction of the parallel tunnel also began on Thursday.

"It is the biggest public communications project currently taking place in Greece," Souflias said, adding that the Metro project is entering its final construction phase since an average of about 10 metres of double tunnel will be constructed every day.

The minister was welcomed at the Metro workshop by Prefect Panayiotis Psomiadis, Thessaloniki Mayor Vassilis Papageorgopoulos, deputies and agency representatives.

[15] EU Court finds against Greece on dividends, veterinary controls

The Court of Justice of the European Communities issued two rulings against Greece on Thursday, while rejecting an appeal relating to intellectual property rights.

Specifically, it has ruled that Greece is in violation of community legislation by failing to effectively deal with the shortage of staff responsible for veterinary controls, violating its obligations under EU regulations on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules.

According to another Court ruling on Thursday, Greece was also found in violation of its obligations under European treaties by providing for tax exemption for dividends distributed by national companies but not for dividends distributed by companies whose seat is in another member state.

The Court stated that Greece has violated its obligations by maintaining in force the provisions of the Income Tax Code (Law 2238/1994 as last amended by Law 3296/2004) by which foreign partnerships in Greece are taxed more heavily than domestic partnerships.

Also, the Court of Justice rejected an appeal by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AEPI) to reverse a First Instance Court decision issued on July 12, 2007, T-229/05. AEPI maintained that three Greek organizations that undertake the collective management of the rights of creators in the audio/visual sector (singers, musicians and audio/visual producers) acted in violation of Articles 81 and/or 82 of the Treaty establishing the European Community.

AEPI functions as a Collective Management Organisation on the basis of the regulations of Greek Law 2121/1993. The purpose of the Organisation, in accordance with the law, and its statute, is the administration and protection of intellectual property, for all works composed and/or written in the past and all works to be written in the future by the creators/intellectual property owners of musical works that have entered into an agreement with the organisation.

[16] Gov't unveils measures to boost transparency in fuel market

Presenting the measures, the Greek minister said the package envisaged the introduction of cashier machines and inflow/outflow control systems on petrol stations along with freezing tariffs on fuel trucks for 2009. Hatzidakis said the ministry will publish a weekly report of fuel price developments at refineries and petrol stations to boost transparency in the market. The Greek minister will visit Sofia on Friday to participate in a regional energy conference.

[17] Vivartia cuts fresh milk prices to 1.0 euros per litre

In a statement, the company, warned over practices aimed at undermining the nutrition value of fresh milk and said it has implemented rules throughout its production and distribution lines to safeguard the quality of its products.

[18] Building materials' index up 0.4 pct in March

The statistics agency, in a report, said the building materials' index fell 0.4 pct in March from February 2009. The production price index in the home building sector grew 1.2 pct in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the corresponding period last year.

[19] ASE announces changes in index composition

The Greek market's advisory commission, in its regular meeting, said there were no changes in the composition of the FTSE/ASE 20 index, while there will be three new additions in the FTSE/ASE Liquid Mid index, with Terna Energy, Lamda Development and Athens Medical replacing AB Vasilopoulos, Thessaloniki Port Authority and Sprider Stores. In the FTSE/ASE 40 index will be two additions: Terna Energy and Duty Free Shops, while in the FTSE/AE Bank index Proton Bank will be delisted.

In the FTSE/ASE International index there will be two additions (Terna Energy and Duty Free Shops) and 21 delistings, while in the FTSE/ASE Small Cap 80 and the FTSE/ASE 140 indexes there will be 15 and two new additions, respectively. All changes will be valid from Monday 1, June 2009.

[20] Greek stocks end 0.60 pct up

Most sectors moved higher, with the Chemicals (10.13 pct), Raw Materials (5.71 pct) and Insurance (4.40 pct) scoring the biggest percentage gains of the day, while Utilities (2.33 pct), Financial Services (0.40 pct) and Banks (0.05 pct) suffered losses.

The FTSE 20 index rose 0.23 pct, the FTSE 40 index ended 2.36 pct up and the FTSE 80 index rose 2.40 pct. Broadly, advancers led decliners by 171 to 54 with another 35 issues unchanged.

Sector indices ended as follows:

Insurance: +4.40%

Industrials: +2.83%

Commercial: +3.76%

Construction: +2.22%

Media: +1.15%

Oil & Gas: +0.41%

Personal & Household: +0.28%

Raw Materials: +5.71%

Travel & Leisure: +2.15%

Technology: +3.73%

Telecoms: +0.42%

Banks: -0.05%

Food & Beverages: unchanged

Health: +1.76%

Utilities: -2.33%

Chemicals: +10.13%

Financial Services: -0.40%

The stocks with the highest turnover were National Bank, Alpha Bank, Public Power Corp (PPC) and Hellenic Telecommunications Organisation (OTE).

Selected shares from the FTSE/ASE-20 index closed in euros as follows:

Alpha Bank: 6.50

ATEbank: 1.21

Public Power Corp (PPC): 14.28

HBC Coca Cola: 11.85

Hellenic Petroleum: 6.94

National Bank of Greece: 13.86

EFG Eurobank Ergasias: 5.55

Intralot: 4.28

OPAP: 21.50

OTE: 11.83

Bank of Piraeus: 6.10

Titan Cement Company: 16.95

[21] Greek bond market closing report

In interbank markets, interest rates were largely unchanged. The 12-month Euribor rate was 1.76 pct, the six-month rate 1.60 pct, the three-month rate 1.40 pct and the one-month rate 1.0 pct.

[22] Foreign Exchange rates - Friday

U.S. dollar 1.315

Pound sterling 0.903

Danish kroner 7.509

Swedish kroner 11.003

Japanese yen 129.31

Swiss franc 1.525

Norwegian kroner 8.759

Canadian dollar 1.623

Australian dollar 1.845

General News

[23] Int'l conference on biodiversity in Athens on April 27-28

A two-day international conference on "Biodiversity Protection Beyond 2010: Priorities and options for future EU Policy" will open in Athens on April 27.

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias will attend the conference, which will be addressed by Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, Environment, Town Planning and Public Works Minister George Souflias and Parliament President Dimitris Sioufas.

European Commissioner Stavros Dimas, responsible for environment issues, will deliver the opening speech, which will be followed by an address by European Commission President Jose Barroso.

Roughly 230 representatives of EU member states, NGOs, European enterprises and UN agencies will discuss EU policy on biodiversity, focusing on future priorities.

[24] Forum on leadership and services for citizen

Deputy Interior Minister Christos Zois, representing Greece at the Forum titled "Leadership and Services for the citizen" taking place here, said Thursday that "we are working to promote a state of quality and effectiveness, with modern structures that utilises extensively the possibilities of technology and of Administrative Management."

Zois referred to the strategy being implemented by the Interior ministry in the framework of Administrative Reform, the informatics projects and the actions being carried out by the Information Society SA, projects simplifying the citizen's day-to-day life and the functioning of businesses.

He stressed that in the framework of the Special Operational Programme "Administrative Reform", which the Interior ministry is implementing, "we are aiming at decreasing the cost of bureaucracy for businesses by 25 percent by 2013, speeding up the time for issuing certificates by 50 percent and limiting the number of laws with the establishment of good legislating rules and practices in substantively combatting corruption."

Zois added that "the programme, budgeted at 631 million euros, is based to a great extent on the promotion of Electronic Governance and the establishment of digital transactions with the citizen."

[25] Historic church in Ambelakia to be restored

The historic community of the small village of Ambelakia is also particularly known for the foundation in 1778 of the first Cooperative organisation in Greece.

A cooperative of merchants, craftsmen, farmers and labourers involved in the production of the red yarns of Ambelakia flourished at the end of 18th and the beginning of 19th century. It is the first and most complete cooperative organization formed in Turkish-dominated Greece. The most important trading agencies and branches of the cooperative were its central branch in Vienna, in Trieste, in the German towns of Leipzig, Anbach, Dresden, and Hamburg, in London, Amsterdam, Budapest, Odessa, Lyon and Rouen in France, in Constantinople (currently Istanbul), Smyrna (Izmir) in Turkey and in Thessaloniki, where there were large Greek colonies.

All the agents, representatives and employees were from Ambelakia and were members of the co-operative. Many of them worked and at the same time studied at European universities. The representatives often changed so that as many people from Ambelakia as possible could go abroad in order to learn and bring knowledge of foreign culture to Ambelakia. In 1797 they also bought their own ship - the "Calypso" - in order to carry their yarns to Europe.

The historic church of Aghios Georgios or St. George, whose feast day is celebrated by the Orthodox Church on April 23, is also notable for the rich icons and murals that decorate its interior. All restoration work on the monument has been approved by the culture ministry's Byzantine and Post-Byzantine monuments directorate.

[26] ESIEA attends event marking bombing of RTS building by NATO

A two-member delegation of the Athens Journalists Union (ESIEA) was sent to attend events held here on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the NATO bombing of the Serb Radio-Television (RTS) building on April 23, 1999 that killed 16 employees, all of them technical staff.

Also present will be the press attach� serving in the Greek embassy at the time of the bombing.

Dragoljub Milanovic, the general manager of RTS, was later sentenced to 10 years in prison because he ordered the personnel to stay in the building despite the warnings for imminent bombing.

[27] Worker killed by collapsed earthworks

Weather Forecast

[28] Cloudy, rainy on Friday

[29] The Thursday edition of Athens' dailies at a glance

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Chaos over Pavlidis' indictment".

APOGEVMATINI: "Attica facelift - 6 innovations in the Athens regulatory plan change Athens buildings' architecture".

AVGHI: "Scandals raise critical quandaries for government and the political system".

AVRIANI: "Tough political gambling with scandals, indictments and elections, with the economy which is in danger of collapsing due to the political instability, as the victim".

CHORA: "Double message to Turkey - Karamanlis and Christofias warn Ankara".

ELEFTHEROS: "Terror in Maximos mansion (government headquarters) of a 'fatal' mistake - Meanwhile no party wants early elections prompted by the Pavlidis case".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Concession of the beaches (to local governments) -The State will in return receive a percentage of the profits from the exploitation of 14,000 km of shores and beaches".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "Cover up - Supreme Court prosecutor George Sanidas says 'no' to forwarding the Vatopedi monastery case file to parliament".

ESTIA: "Who is responsible for the deficit - Why it skyrocketed to 5 percentage points of GDP".

ETHNOS: "Prosecutors ask that the case file on the Vatopedi Monastery scandal be sent to parliament, too".

KATHIMERINI: "International Monetary Fund (IMF) foresees 2-year recession".

LOGOS: "Eurostat shows 'red card' to Greek economy - Skyrocketing deficits and state debt in 2008".

NIKI: "Government squeezes us - New taxes to be imposed in order to collect 6 billion euros".

RIZOSPASTIS: "The capital must pay for the public deficit and state debt and not the working classes".

TA NEA: "Vatopedi nightmare for government".

TO VIMA: "The skyrocketing deficit is a nightmare for the government".

VRADYNI: "Parliament and the political scene in a vortex of scandals ".

Cyprus Affairs

[30] Cypriot FM welcomes Clinton's remarks on Cyprus

Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Markos Kyprianou welcomed on Thursday the remarks US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made during a US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, as an acknowledgement of the mistakes made during the 2004 effort for a Cyprus settlement.

Clinton said that ''previous efforts have unfortunately resulted in a feeling, by certainly the Greek Cypriots, that things were attempted to be imposed on them,'' adding ''we want the parties to reach an agreement. And that's what we are supporting.''

''Clinton's remarks reflect what the American administration acknowledges as mistakes of 2004, which must be avoided,'' said Kyprianou, invited to comment on Clinton's remarks, adding that he believes that ''the US has realised that the correct process is the one agreed on March 2008 (by the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and the Turkish Cypriot communities) and they will support it.''

He recalled that he discussed with Clinton, both during their meetings in Prague and in Washington, ''the problems, the mistakes and the negative moves of 2004 which led to the failure of that effort,'' particularly with regard to the content of the effort.

The Cypriot FM also noted the fact that the remarks which Clinton had expressed during the meetings with him have also been made officially.

Asked if he believes that the US will press on with acceleration of the current peace process, Kyprianou said that the Cypriot government points out that if the process is to accelerate ''Turkey must maintain, in practice, a positive stance regarding the outcome of the process for a bi-communal bi-zonal federation and of course the proposals submitted at the talks must reflect this form of solution.''

''Certainly everybody is in a hurry for a swift Cyprus solution,'' Kyprianou said, adding however that ''they realise the complexity of the issue and the need for the process to remain within the agreed framework and the talks conducted between the two sides.''

Concluding, the Cypriot FM said ''we must wait and see'' how the US will deal with the issue.

In 2004 UN-led efforts for a Cyprus settlement, envisaging strict timeframes and UN arbitration, culminated in a UN-proposed solution plan, the Annan plan, which was approved by the Turkish Cypriots and rejected by the Greek Cypriots, who said the plan was unfair and served the interests of third parties but not Cyprus' interests.

Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged since September 2008 in UN-led direct talks in a bid to achieve a settlement to the problem of Cyprus, divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. They had 26 meetings for far.

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